New - Leuthen Prussian Flags Project - Flags of Infantry Regiment 18 Prinz von Preussen

So, here we have the first of the new Leuthen flags and uniforms. I have already posted the flags of Infantry Regiments 1, 5, 6, 13, 19, 23 and 26, all Rossbach regiments which were also at Leuthen. (I still have IR15 from Rossbach to do; they were also at Leuthen.)

IR18 traced its origins back to 1698. From 1742 its chef was Frederick's much-loved, if somewhat inadequate, brother, Major General August Wilhelm, Prince of Prussia, until his disgrace in 1757 and death in 1758. From 1758 its chef was Colonel Friedrich Wilhelm, Crown Prince of Prussia, later King Friedrich Wilhelm II.

 

In 1756 IR18 was part of the King's army which captured the Saxon army in the Pirna campaign, was at Reichenbach on April 21st 1757 and was on the right wing at Prague on May 6th. In the first line under the Duke of Bevern it led the assault south of Kej on the Austrian centre, fighting over the causeway south of Hostawitz and by the Rokenitz Brook. In the subsequent siege of Prague it took the Ziska-Berg on May 9th, losing Colonel von Strantz in the process. After Kolin, the King severely criticised the retreat to Bautzen and blamed his brother Major General August Wilhelm, Prince of Prussia (chef of IR18 since 1742). August Wilhelm left the army and died at Oranienburg on June 12th 1758; the King had not forgiven him. Colonel Friedrich Wilhelm, Crown Prince of Prussia, later King Friedrich Wilhelm II, took over as chef of IR18. On November 22nd the regiment survived the defeat at Breslau but lost Lieutenant Colonel Christoph Wilhelm von Belling. One battalion was at Leuthen on December 5th (Duffy Army of Frederick the Great 1st edition shows about 20% casualties) and the regiment besieged Breslau. In 1758 the regiment was at Zorndorf on August 25th (Duffy Army of Frederick the Great 1st edition shows about 15% casualties in the two battalions). While reviewing them before the battle the King had said: "My friends! Stand firm, all will be well!". He awarded the regiment 4 Pour Le Merites, one to Lieutenant von der Hagen. At Hochkirch on October 14th IR18 suffered very heavy losses leading the counter-attack on the right wing (Duffy Army of Frederick the Great 1st edition shows at least 40% casualties in the two battalions). It was with the King again in 1759; the King called it "my dear brother's regiment". It was lucky to avoid Kunersdorf. In 1760 it was at the siege of Dresden in July, saw no action at Liegnitz in August, but led the last decisive attack at Torgau on November 3rd in Zieten's Saldern Brigade. Five Pour Le Merite medals were awarded to the company commanders for that action. A hundred volunteers under Captain von der Hagen were employed to break through the entanglements of Burkersdorf on July 21st 1762 while the rest of the regiment was employed elsewhere on the battlefield. Its last action of the war was at Reichenbach on 16th August 1762 where it saw little action.

And this is the musketeer uniform in 1756: